Which of the following is listed as a sign of stress in alligators?

• A. Eating more and fighting more
• B. Piling and fighting
• C. Basking more
• D. Staying under water and eating more

Answer: (B)

The situation tests your ability to recognize stress indicators in captive alligators. When stressed, alligators often show clear social and crowding behaviors, and piling (several individuals clustering on top of or around each other) along with fighting are classic signs of discomfort or agitation in these animals. This combination signals that something in the environment or social setup isn’t right—things like crowding, poor water quality, improper temperatures, or frequent disturbances can trigger this response.

Why this is the best choice: piling and fighting directly reflect stress-related social and behavioral changes, whereas the other options describe activities that don’t align with stress cues. Eating more and fighting more would imply higher activity and appetite, not stress. Bask­ing more relates more to thermoregulation or light exposure than to stress. Staying under water and eating more mixes a retreat/ambush behavior with increased feeding, which isn’t a standard stress pattern.

If you observe piling and fighting, you’d investigate factors like stocking density, water quality, temperature stability, and handling to reduce stress and improve welfare.